The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California has doubled its turf replacement rebate for non‑residential properties to $7 per square foot effective Sept. 1, the highest regionwide incentive the agency has offered. The increase targets water‑intensive grass on commercial, institutional and HOA landscapes and is intended to help property owners comply with a new state law that prohibits using potable water on nonfunctional turf on most non‑residential properties beginning in 2027.
“Southern California’s landscape is changing. But looking around you still see a challenge everywhere – grass that isn’t played on, or picnicked on, or even walked on except when it is being mowed. It’s outside large buildings, in business parks, on medians,” said Michael Camacho, vice chair of Metropolitan’s Board of Directors. “This rebate helps these properties comply with the new state mandates while also switching to an alternative that is water-efficient, beautiful and supports our local ecosystems.”
The rebate expansion is supported by $30 million from the California Department of Water Resources and $96 million in federal funding through the Bureau of Reclamation’s Lower Colorado Basin System Conservation and Efficiency Program. Announcing the increase, state officials emphasized the program’s role in stretching limited supplies:
“DWR is proud to continue its investment and support of programs like regional turf replacement that offer solutions to stretch California’s limited water supplies,” said Salomon Miranda, Water Manager at DWR’s Southern Region Office. “By making turf replacement more affordable through increased rebates, we are improving water supply reliability and ensuring that water is available for residential needs, manufacturing, agriculture, and the environment.
The announcement took place at American Legion Post 43 in Los Angeles, where a new water‑efficient garden recently received a One Water Award from Metropolitan. Metropolitan reports that up to 70% of Southern California water use occurs outdoors; sustainable landscaping paired with efficient irrigation can use up to 80% less water than traditional turf. Since its inception, the Turf Replacement Program has removed more than 230 million square feet of grass—an annual savings equivalent to the water needs of over 83,000 homes. A study cited by the district found a “multiplier effect”: for every 100 rebate‑supported conversions, 132 nearby homes converted without a rebate.
“Southern Californians are eager to transform their yards to beautiful, low-water landscapes,” said Metropolitan’s Water Efficiency Manager Elise Goldman. “But the transformation has been a bit slower among businesses and institutions. The people who manage these properties need to make a business case for turf replacement. They need to understand how switching to a water-efficient landscape helps their bottom line. That’s why this rebate increase is so valuable – it can kickstart landscape transformation projects in this sector, ultimately saving a lot of water.”
A recent assessment estimates about 20,000 acres of nonfunctional turf remain across Southern California. While not all of it is irrigated with potable water, eliminating it could save more than 100,000 acre‑feet of water (one acre‑foot is roughly 326,000 gallons, enough for about three Southern California households for a year).
How to apply & resources
Design guidance, eligible plant lists, certified landscapers and application portal: https://bewaterwise.com
